Magic Mirror and Cynthia Germanotta,
co-founder of the Born This Way Foundation
with daughter Stefani, aka Lady Gaga

Andra Liemandt
Enoughie Buddy at a TKC event

I Am Enough

The Kindness Campaign Arms
Kids with Self-Acceptance, Empathy

The Kindness Campaign (TKC) aims to instill in students
as early as prekindergarten a powerful force for positive
change: intentional acts of kindness.
Now present in all 82 Austin Independent School
District elementary schools, the organization’s curriculum
helps children identify their emotions, develop empathy
and build their sense of self-worth, all to promote “a kinder
pattern of behavior” to reduce bullying.
TKC was born out of tragedy. Upon learning that a
friend’s 12-year-old daughter had taken her own life in
response to bullying, founder Andra Liemandt in 2015
began creating a journal and a character—Enoughie Buddy—to teach her daughters about emotional awareness,
empathy and kindness and because she felt compelled to
do something positive. The project gained momentum,
and the organization debuted its social-emotional learning
curriculum in five AISD elementary schools during the
2015-2016 school year.
The lesson plans, coloring books and journals build
on TKC’s four essential pillars of learning: self-image,
emotional awareness, empathy and community. Mascot

24 WATERWAYS | Winter 2018

Enoughie helps students engage with the materials and
one another to build their kindness toolkits.
To further its work, the organization holds KINDNESSPALOOZA events to bring Enoughie Buddy as well
as the Magic Mirror self-affirmation experience to even
more children and adults. These events have taken place
at South by Southwest 2018, the Hill Country Galleria and
Barton Creek Square.
TKC has even made inroads to adult education. It has
partnered with Paul Mitchell Schools to roll out its Corporate Kindness program in the more than 100 Paul Mitchell
Schools across the U.S.
The Kindness Campaign has received funding and
accolades from several organizations, including Lady
Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation. Liemandt herself was
recognized in 2018 by Austin Woman with a Woman’s Way
Business Award in the Social Impact category.
Learn more about The Kindness Campaign at tkckindness.org.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE KINDNESS CAMPAIGN

“I know what it’s like to feel different, but being different
isn’t a bad thing. Every morning I look in the mirror and
remind myself I AM ENOUGH.” —Enoughie Buddy